Training device for throwing

ABSTRACT

A throwing training apparatus includes at least one, but preferably two approximately parallel planar guides that are positioned behind a user relative to a throwing target. The guides have at least a portion that is planar, wherein the throwing target is in the plane of the planar portion. In one embodiment, the planar guides may be configured as tubular arcs of, e.g., approximately 180 degrees, such that the have a C shape. While a user moves his or her hand in a throwing motion, the planar guides provide tactile feedback to the user indicating when the user is breaking a desired planar throwing motion. With repetition of the throwing motion using the present invention, one may develop muscle memory of the proper throwing form, which will enable one to consistently throw with the proper form without the aid of the training apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to athletic training devices and, in particular, to a device for training proper technique for throwing a sports ball.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Proper throwing technique for an athlete is important as it improves performance; both in accuracy and velocity of the throw, and helps reduce injury. Throwing is a skill that is learned through practice and repetition. Of course, if improper throwing technique is used during practice, one's throwing skill will not improve and the risk of injury is increased.

[0003] When throwing a sports ball with good form, the thrower uses a smooth circular arm motion in which the hand is first moved backward, and then over the shoulder until the hand is moved forward at which time the ball is released. The circular arm motion ideally is within a plane that includes the target. Mistakes made by novice throwers including cocking the arm back instead of using the circular arm motion and breaking the ideal plane of motion during the throw, typically at the beginning of the throw. Additional mistakes made by a novice thrower including pivoting or shifting his or her weight forward too early in the throw.

[0004] Devices for assisting in practicing one's throwing skills are known. For example, one type of known training device is the basic target, which may be in the form of a net or rebound mechanism. While target type training devices may improve accuracy, they do not assist in improving form.

[0005] Other types of training device include restraining devices, such as an elbow sleeves or resilient tethers. Restraining type training device limit arm or body mobility to force the user to use the desired throwing motion. Restraining type training devices, however, do not lead to muscle memory for the proper technique. The user typically relies on the restraining device to prevent the undesirable motion. In doing so, the user has not learned how to move unaided with the proper throwing technique.

[0006] Thus, what is needed is a training device for throwing that will effectively teach the user the proper throwing technique, such that the user will learn and be able to replicate the desired motion.

SUMMARY

[0007] A training device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, uses at least one, but preferably two approximately parallel guides to teach a user the proper throwing motion. The guides include at least a portion that is vertically planar. While a user moves his or her hand in a throwing motion, the guides provide tactile feedback to the user indicating when the user is not moving with the desired form. The guides may be planar and configured as tubular arcs of, e.g., approximately 180 degrees, such that they have a C shape. However, other shapes and configurations may be used to provide the desired guides. For example, the guides may have a horizontal portion, that is used, e.g., to train a shortened throw. With repetition of the throwing motion using the present invention, one may develop muscle memory of the proper throwing form, which will enable one to consistently throw with the proper form without the aid of the training apparatus.

[0008] In one embodiment, a training apparatus for training a user to throw a sports ball includes at least one guide that has at least a portion that is planar and at least one support element coupled to the guide. The support element positions the planar portion of the guide in an approximately vertical position and behind a user relative to a throwing target during use such that the throwing target is approximately in the plane of the planar portion of the guide. In one embodiment, the training apparatus includes two guides that are approximately parallel to each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two planar guides during the throwing motion. In one embodiment, the training apparatus includes a ball holder proximate to the bottom of the planar guides.

[0009] In another embodiment, a training apparatus includes a means for guiding a user's arm and hand during a throwing exercise using tactile feedback in an approximately vertical planar motion for at least a portion of the throwing motion. The training apparatus also includes at least one support element for holding the means for guiding behind the user relative to a throwing target. The means for guiding may guide the user's arm in an approximately vertical planar motion throughout the throwing motion, or may guide the user's arm in an approximately horizontal motion prior to guiding the user's arm in the approximately vertical planar motion.

[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of training a user to throw a sports ball includes positioning at least one guide behind a user relative to a throwing target, where the guide has at least one planar portion, wherein the guide is positioned such that the throwing target is in the plane of the planar portion. The user moves his or her hand and arm through a throwing motion and uses the tactile feedback from the guide during the throwing motion to indicate when the user's hand and arm moves outside a desired range of motion. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a sports ball proximate to the bottom of the planar guide at approximately arms reach of the user and picking up the sports ball prior to moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show side, back, and top views, respectively, of a training apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a training apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a front and top views, respectively of another embodiment of a training apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIGS. 7 and 8 show side views of other possible configurations for planar guides used in accordance with the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a side view of another support mechanism for a training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view of training apparatus and a user utilizing the training apparatus in one training method.

[0017]FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a top view of training apparatus and a user utilizing the training apparatus in another training method.

[0018]FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show side, front, and top views, respectively, of a training apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a resistance device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A training apparatus for throwing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, includes two approximately parallel guides, which are used to guide the users hand through the motion for throwing a sports ball, such as a baseball, softball, cricket ball, or other type of ball. The guides provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when the user's arm and hand are moving outside the desired range of motion.

[0021]FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show side, back, and top views, respectively, of a training apparatus 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Training apparatus 100 includes two approximately parallel planar guides 102 and 104 that are in an approximately vertical orientation. As shown in FIG. 1, guides 102 and 104 (guide 104 is hidden from view in FIG. 1) have an approximately 180 degree arc. The guides 102 and 104 should have a radius that is appropriate for the size of the user. For example, a small user would use guides that have an approximately 8 inch radius arc and a larger user would use guides that have an approximately 16 inch radius arc. The curvature of the guides 102, 104 is useful for visually conveying the desired hand and arm motion when throwing. Moreover, by using curved guides 102, 104 only the user's forearm, wrist, and hand will contact the guides. Thus, the desired guidance is provided to the user without interfering with other body parts, such as the elbow, which may extend through the plane of one of the guides when throwing.

[0022] In operation, the user moves his or her hand and arm between guides 102 and 104 during a throwing exercise, where the throwing target is approximately in the plane of the guides 102 and 104. The guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback to teach a user to move his or her arm in a smooth circular motion that is in a plane between guides 102 and 104 (the plane is illustrated by the dashed line 103 in FIG. 3). Guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback when the user's arm is straying outside the desired plane. Thus, the guides 102, 104 provide physical boundaries for the user, which will increase the user's mental awareness of the desired arm motion to throw a ball. Consequently, the user will be able to reproduce the desired motion without the training apparatus 100.

[0023] The bottom ends of guides 102 and 104 are removably attached to a frame 106. The frame 106 includes guide attachments 108 and 110 to which guides 102 and 104 are mounted, e.g., using removable steel pins 109 and 111. The guide attachments 108 and 110 are mounted on arms 112 and 114, respectively, e.g., welded or otherwise fixed. The arms 112 and 114 are adjustably mounted to a T-frame 116. For example, the cross member 117 of T-frame 116 may be 1¼ inch box steel into which 1 inch box steel arms 112 and 114 may be inserted. The distance D between arms 112 and 114, and thus, guides 102 and 104, is adjustable from, e.g., 9 to 12 inches. Thumbscrews 118 and 120 are used to hold the arms 112 and 114 in their desired positions.

[0024] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the cross member 117 of the T-frame 116 includes a ball holder 122, which may be, e.g., welded to the cross member 117. The ball holder 122 is proximate to the bottom of the guides 102 and 104 and ideally at arms length for the user. In operation, the user picks up a ball from the ball holder 122 before beginning the throwing motion, which teaches the user to start the throwing motion from the bottom of the desired circular motion and from a relaxed position. The ball holder 122 thus should be close enough to the guides 102 and 104 that once the ball is picked up, the user can easily begin the throwing motion within the confines of guides 102 and 104.

[0025] The post 124 of T-frame 116 movably mounted to the stand post 126. For example, the stand post 126 may be 1¼ inch box steel into which 1 inch box steel post 124 may be inserted. A thumbscrew 128 is used to securely hold the T-frame post 124 at the desired height. The T-frame 116 height H₁₁₆ is adjustable, e.g., from 24 to 41 inches. The stand post 126 height H₁₂₆ is, e.g., 22½ inches.

[0026] The stand post 126 is fixed to the stand base 130, e.g., is welded or otherwise mounted. Adjustable base legs 132 and 134 are movably mounted to the stand base 130, e.g., the stand base 130 may be 1¼ inch box steel into which 1 inch box steel base legs 132 and 134 may be inserted. Thumbscrews 136 and 138 may be used to securely hold the base legs 132 and 134 in their desired positions. The width W between base legs 132 and 134 is adjustable, e.g., from 22 to 32 inches. The base legs 132 and 134 have a front length L_(f) of, e.g., 24 inches, and a back length L_(b) of 6 inches. Base legs 132 and 134 include through holes 140 (illustrated in FIG. 3) for ground stakes 142 (illustrated in FIG. 1).

[0027] The materials used to make training apparatus 100 should be light weight and sturdy. Preferably, the training apparatus 100 is manufactured from materials and component parts that provide ease of storage and assembly. For example, as described above, the frame 106 may be manufactured from, e.g., box steel or other appropriate material. The guides 102, 104 may be manufactured from, e.g., {fraction (3/4)} inch PVC pipe that is bent into the desired shape. It may be necessary to heat the PVC pipe and bend the heated pipe over a frame to obtain the desired shape. Of course, other dimensions and materials may be used in place of those described. For example, one of both guides 102 and 104 may be manufactured from metal, wood or other types of plastic. Moreover, the particular shape and dimensions of guides 102 and 104 may be altered if desired. For example, one or both guides 102 and 104 may be manufactured from solid planes. FIG. 4, by way of example, shows a training apparatus 200 that is similar to training apparatus 100 except that the guides are manufactured from a sheet of material, such as wood or plastic (only guide 202 is shown in FIG. 4 as the second guide is hidden from view). If desired, a curve 206 may be marked, e.g., via paint, decal, etching, or otherwise, on the sides of the guides to visually convey the desired hand and arm motion when throwing. Moreover, a portion 208 (shown with broken lines) of one or both of the guides may be cut-out in order to provide eliminate interference with the user's elbow during the throwing motion.

[0028]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a front view and a top view, respectively of another possible embodiment of a training apparatus 300 in accordance with the present invention. Training apparatus 300 includes a number of vertically orientated elements 302 and 304 that in conjunction form planar guides 302 a and 304 a, which are supported from above via top supporting members 306 and from below via bottom supporting members 308. By way of example, top supporting members 306 may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any other manner of support, including a non-flexible support such as a hook. The top supporting members 306 may be connected, e.g., to a tall frame or any relatively high support mechanism, such as a tree limb, baseball backstop, basket ball hoop or support etc. The bottom support members 308 likewise may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any other manner of support. The bottom support members 308 may be connected to ground using, e.g., stakes, spiral stakes, weights, or a frame. Similar to guides 102 and 104, guides 302 a and 304 a of training apparatus 300 provide tactile feedback to the user to learn to move his or her arm along a plane between guides 302 a and 304 a (the plane is illustrated by the dashed line 303 in FIG. 6).

[0029]FIGS. 7 and 8 show side views of other possible configurations 352 and 354 for guides used in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, guide 352 in FIG. 7 includes three members joined at approximately right angles to each other to form a squared “C” shape. Guide 354 in FIG. 8 includes two members that are joined at an acute angle to form an angular “C” shape. Thus, it should be understood, that the guides of the training apparatus, in accordance with the present invention may have many different shapes and configurations. Nevertheless, the guides provide guidance to the user to move his or her hand and arm in a plane when throwing. Moreover, it should be understood that while two guides are generally shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a single guide may be used if desired. Alternatively two different shaped guides may be used with the training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 9 is a side view of another support mechanism for a training apparatus 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, guide 102 is supported from above by a top support member 402 and from below by bottom support members 404 and 406 (guide 104 is hidden from view in FIG. 9). Similar to the embodiment described in FIGS. 5 and 6, the top support member 402 may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any other manner of support, including a non-flexible support such as a hook. The top supporting members 402 may be connected, e.g., to a tall frame or any relatively high support mechanism, such as a tree limb, baseball backstop, basket ball hoop or support etc. The bottom support members 404 and 406 likewise may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any other manner of support. The bottom support members 404 and 406 may be connected to ground using, e.g., stakes, spiral stakes, weights, or a frame. Alternatively, the guides 102 and 104 may be supported by only bottom support member that is driven into the ground. In another embodiment, guides 102 and 104 may be supported by a support device that is coupled directly to the user, e.g., by way of a harness. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the training apparatus in accordance with the present invention may have different support mechanisms and is not limited to a solid frame 106.

[0031]FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view of training apparatus 100 and a user utilizing the training apparatus 100 in one training method. The user faces the intended throwing target. The guides 102 and 104 are positioned behind the user relative to the throwing target such that the throwing target is approximately in the planes of the guides 102 and 104, i.e., in the plane of desired throwing motion. It should be understood that during the throwing exercises, the throwing target may be real, i.e., the ball is actually thrown to the target, or imaginary, i.e., the ball is retained by the user. The user holds a sports ball, e.g., a baseball, at his or her side, or alternatively picks up the ball from ball holder 122. The ball holder 122 is positioned at hand height of the users when the user's arms are at his or her side. Thus, the user begins the throw with his or her arm and hand in a relaxed position at his or her side. The user moves his or her hand and arm backwards between guides 102 and 104 along arrow 103 a. Guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback to the user if the user moves his or her arm laterally, as indicated by arrow 600, which is undesired movement. Undesirable lateral movement of the hand and arm is a common occurrence for novice throwers, particularly in the beginning of the throwing motion. In some embodiments, only a single guide, e.g., guide 104, may be used, particularly where the user breaks the desired plane of motion in only one lateral direction, e.g., towards the right in FIG. 10A.

[0032] The user continues to move the arm and hand in a circular motion (following the arc of the guides 102, 104) until there is an approximately 90 degree angle between the forearm and biceps. When the 90 degree angle between forearm and bicep is achieved, the user begins the forward motion of his or her arm and hand along arrow 103 b (shown in FIG. 10B) at which time the ball may be released. If the user fails to achieve the 90 degree angle between the forearm and biceps, the user will contact at least one the guides 102 and 104. When the user begins the forward motion the user's hand is no longer between the guides 102 and 104. It should be understood that the user may throw the ball during the exercise or hold onto the ball. In either case, the user learns to move his or her hand in the desired arcing motion through the use of guides 102 and 104 which provide feedback when the hand is no longer moving in the desired plane.

[0033]FIGS. 1A and 11B illustrate a top view of training apparatus 100 and a user utilizing the training apparatus 100 in another training method. Again, the guides 102 and 104 are positioned behind the user relative to the throwing target such that the throwing target is approximately in the planes of the guides 102 and 104, i.e., in the plane of desired throwing motion. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the user faces approximately perpendicular to the intended throwing target. The user may start in this position or may start slightly to the side and behind the training apparatus and move into this position to simulate throwing while in motion. Again, the user holds a sports ball, e.g., a baseball, at his or her side, or alternatively picks up the ball from ball holder 122. The ball holder 122 is positioned at hand height of the users when the user's arms are at his or her side.

[0034] The user begins the throw with his or her arm and hand in a relaxed position at his or her side. The user moves his or hand arm backwards between guides 102 and 104 along arrow 103 a. Guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback to the user if the user moves his or her arm laterally, as indicated by arrow 600, which is undesired movement. The user then begins a smooth backward motion as indicated by arrow 103 a in FIG. 11A. The arm and hand continue in a circular motion (following the arc of the guides 102, 104) until there is an approximately 90 degree angle between the forearm and biceps. When the 90 degree angle between forearm and biceps is achieved, the user pivots to throw the ball and begins the forward motion of his or her arm and hand along arrow 103 b (shown in FIG. 11B). In addition, once the hand is past the user's head, the user can shift his or her weight forward, as pictured in FIG. 11B. If the user pivots or shifts his or her weight to early, the user's hand will no longer be between the guides 102 and 104. Thus, using this training method, the user is trained to move his or her arm and hand through the desired throwing motion along a plane as well as the proper timing for pivoting and shifting the weight forward, which is another point of difficulty for a novice thrower.

[0035] It should be understood that the present invention may be used to train other types of throws. For example, a baseball infielder sometimes uses a shortened throw, that is different than the throw described above. A shortened throw does not follow the full arc described above, i.e., starting from a relaxed position with the hand at the side, but instead starts by moving the hand horizontally behind the thrower. Once the hand is behind the thrower, the 90 degree angle between forearm and biceps is achieved, which is then followed by the forward motion.

[0036]FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show side, front, and top views of guides 702 and 704 that may be used to train a shortened throw in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can seen in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, guides 702 and 704 include bottom portions 702 a and 704 a, respectively that are straight and horizontal and are aligned with each other vertically. The guides 702 and 704 then transition into vertical planar portions 702 b and 704 b, respectively. Vertical planar portions 702 b and 704 b are similar to the top portions of guides 102 and 104 described above.

[0037] Guides 702 and 704 may be supported by an appropriate support mechanism, such as frame 106, which is modified to hold the vertically aligned bottom portions 702 a and 704 a of guides 702 and 704. Moreover, it should be understood that guides 702 and 704 are specific for a right handed thrower, and that mirror image guides would be used for a left handed thrower.

[0038] In operation, the bottom portions 702 a and 704 a are positioned at approximately chest height of the user. The user moves his or her hand back horizontally between bottom portions 702 a and 704 a (along broken line 706). When the user's arm is extended, the user begins to move his or her arm and hand in a vertical plane (along broken line 708) that is aligned with the throwing target, such as that described in reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, resistance training may be used with the guides. For example, FIG. 15 shows a side view of a training device 800 with at least one guide 802 (a second guide may be included, but would be hidden in view in FIG. 15) and a resistance device 804. The resistance device 804, for example, may be a spring loaded pulley 806 and cable 808 that is connected to the sports ball 810. The spring loaded pulley 806 provides resistance to the user when the user moves the sports ball 810 through the desired throwing arc (indicated by arrow 812). The cable 808 may be slidably connected to guide 802, e.g., on a track, so that the resistance from the pulley 806 is the direction. Of course, if desired other implementations and designs may be used for the resistance device including using a pulley mechanism that is physically separated from the guide 802.

[0040] Although the present invention is illustrated in connection with specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, various configurations and dimensions of the guides may be used in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, various types of supporting devices may be used to support the guides in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the foregoing description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training apparatus for training a user to throw a sports ball, the training apparatus comprising: at least one guide having at least a portion that is planar; and at least one support element coupled to the at least one guide, the support element positions the planar portion in an approximately vertical position and behind a user relative to a throwing target during use such that the throwing target is approximately in the plane of the planar portion.
 2. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide provides tactile feedback to the user during a throwing motion.
 3. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training apparatus comprises two guides that are approximately parallel to each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two guides during the throwing motion.
 4. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide is planar and comprises a C shaped member.
 5. The training apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one guide comprises a tubular member that is configured in an arc of approximately 180 degrees.
 6. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball holder disposed proximate to the bottom of the at least one guide.
 7. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises a plurality of guide elements positioned relative to each other to form a plane.
 8. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element comprises a stand to which the at least one guide is coupled.
 9. The training apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one support element comprises a stand to which the two guides are coupled, wherein the stand is adjustable to vary the height of the two guides and the stand is adjustable to vary the distance between the two guides.
 10. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element comprises a top support element that supports the at least one planar guide from approximately the top of the at least one planar guide.
 11. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises a horizontal portion that is coupled to the vertically positioned planar portion.
 12. The training apparatus of claim 11, wherein the training apparatus comprises two guides, each having a horizontal portion that are coupled to vertically positioned planar portions, wherein the two guides are approximately parallel to each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two guides during the throwing motion.
 13. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sports ball coupled to a means for providing resistance to the motion of the sports ball.
 14. The training apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for providing resistance comprises a pulley coupled to the sports ball by a cable.
 15. A training apparatus comprising: means for guiding a user's arm and hand during a throwing exercise using tactile feedback in an approximately vertical planar motion for at least a portion of the throwing motion; and at least one support element for holding the means for guiding behind the user relative to a throwing target.
 16. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately vertical planar motion throughout the throwing motion.
 17. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately horizontal motion prior to guiding the user's arm in the approximately vertical planar motion.
 18. The training apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for guiding comprises two C shaped members between which the user's arm is moved during the throwing exercise.
 19. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the bottom of the means for guiding.
 20. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the top of the means for guiding.
 21. A method of training a user to throw a sports ball, the method comprising: positioning at least one guide behind a user relative to a throwing target, the guide having at least one planar portion, wherein the guide is positioned such that the throwing target is approximately within the plane of the planar portion; moving the hand and arm of the user through a throwing motion; and using tactile feedback from the guide during the throwing motion to indicate to the user when the hand and arm moves outside a desired range of motion.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: positioning a sports ball proximate to the bottom of the guide at approximately arms reach of the user; and picking up the sports ball prior to moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the user faces the throwing target while moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the user faces approximately perpendicular to the throwing target while moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing resistance to the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion. 